Adam
Jonas, an autos analyst at Morgan Stanley who regularly
dabbles in the extra-terrestrial, sees a potential partnership
between Tesla and SpaceX that helps flying cars become less
"Jetsons" and more real-world.

"Tesla has expertise in batteries, AI software, complete vehicle
engineering, charging infrastructure and material science that we
believe may have transferability to the autonomous aircraft
domain," he said in a note to clients in December.

Musk, too, has voiced his excitement for flying cars - but with
more caution.

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"Obviously, I like flying things," the billionaire told Bloomberg
in 2017. "But it's difficult to imagine the flying car … If
somebody doesn't maintain their flying car, it could drop a
hubcap and guillotine you. Your anxiety level will not decrease
as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head."

There are plenty of obstacles between today's highways and skies
filled with buzzing drones for delivering people, packages, and
more. Still, Morgan Stanley estimates that 830,000 will be flying
through the skies in the US alone by 2040 - accompanied by a
"significant regulatory risk."

And a Tesla-SpaceX crossover could also help Musk avoid future
headaches surrounding the automaker's life as a public company.
Last year, the CEO tried and failed to take Tesla private, but
hasn't ruled it out in the future.

On an earnings call last year, Musk touted a "cross-fertilization
of knowledge from the rocket and space industry to auto back and
forth," adding that "it's really been quite valuable."

Until then, Wall Street analysts will be watching for more Tesla
Roadsters to launch on SpaceX rockets, and paying careful
attention to any other cross-overs.

"We would describe the current state of technology for electric
autonomous aircraft as underdeveloped, but rapidly improving in
areas of pilot substitution, safety, and efficiency," Jonas
wrote.